Another day of laughter

 

As many of you know, I have my mother living with us. It can be very challenging at times. But most of the time we get the giggles at things she says or does. It’s got to be very hard on her to grow old and be dependent on other people. She was always a very independent person. She does a great Emily Litella impression. 

 

 

At Christmastime we had her church’s choir here to sing to her. She can’t walk anymore and stays in her recliner all day. So they came to her. When they told her how lovely her house was and how nicely decorated for the holidays, she said thank you. Then she offered them cookies that I have been baking for weeks and they marveled at how she could do all that to HER house and find time to bake. She blushes and says thank you. Never once mentioning that it’s not her house and she didn’t do any of it. But I think she was trying to tell herself she did it. Then the other day came this revelation. We were sitting at the dining room table eating dinner and she looks up and says to me. Why do you have a picture of a black man in jail? I couldn’t figure out what she was talking about. She pointed to this.

 

Oh yes, I forgot about the picture of  a black man in jail. How silly of me.

Spring Fluffing

 

Rhoda at Southern Hospitality is hosting a Spring Fluffing party and I am so looking forward to Spring I thought I’d play along. I’m not at good as those girls but I have been doing a little fluffing of my own.

 

I have a new Spring Wreath that I love.

 

Of course there’s some nests.

 

And then my old favorites.

 

Mad Color Weave Socks

Good morning. I’ve been really taking it easy for the last week. My mother went out of town to visit her sisters. So Tom and I had the house to ourselves. We painted the living room and dining room, which turned out to be a huge project. But everything is done and my mom is home. I have been working on these socks and I just love them.

It’s a really fun pattern for me and it’s free on Ravelry.

Tom and I also took a quick trip to Springfield just to get away for a night. We had a really good time. Here he is with young Abe at the Lincoln museum.

And of course we had to get a family photo.

We had never been down there since it opened and I’ve got to tell you. It was really interesting. I found a lot of things that I didn’t know about him.

Also, I am so bad. When my father-in-law died I was very busy and I got 3 wonderful swap packages from people. In my haste I forgot to post the swap package! It was from Angela and she spun some yarn for me that is to die for. This is all the stuff she had in the package. As you can see it’s awesome.

Here’s a close up of that scarf. It’s so intricate and beautiful.

And just take a look at this homespun yarn dyed just for me!

I wish I had the time to spin! I can’t wait to find the perfect pattern for it. Thanks Angela.

Are you game?

ARE YOU GAME?

The first three people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it's going to be.
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
The catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 3 people who do the same on your blog. The first 3 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!Who's in?

I’m getting ready for Christmas.

I know it’s only February but you can never get too early of a start. Last year in November I started my Christmas knitting. Suffice it to say not many people got a homemade knitted item. So this year, I started early. I plan on giving everyone on my husbands side of the family a home knit item.

I made this Rivolo for one of my nieces. I hope it’s a style a 20 something would like.

I made these socks for a sister-in-law. Good thing they don’t read my blog. I don’t even think they know what a blog is. Well the 20 something nieces probably know but wouldn’t be caught dead on their aunts.

I also received another wonderful swap package. This is from Susan who I met last year at the Spring Fling.  Honest to God, this package took over an hour for me to unwrap everything.  Everything is soooo nice.

Here’s a close up of the stitch markers. I just love them.

 

 

And here’s my favorite. They’re little labs. You know how I love my labs.

Now, I must go because someone is waiting for me in bed.

 

No no, not her…….him.

I’m in a rut!

This winter has put me in a rut. I just can’t seem to get my mind together. I normally love winter but I have to say I’m ready for spring. Uncle, uncle, uncle. There I’ve said it.  I have been busy since I last talked to you. I’ve been knitting several secret projects, all of which I have forgotten to take pictures of. But I did get out some projects I’m working on for me. First here’s the Anemoi mitten I’ve been working on. The first time I saw this pattern I was in love!

 

Then I’m making Denmark socks from the Knitting on the Road book. I’m using Rio de la Plata yarn and I love the contrast in it.

I also got a swap package from Barb on Ravelry. She sent me the nicest box of surprises. Thank you Barb.

My friend Barb,not the Barb who sent me the package,  just started a blog. She is an amazing woman. She’s really into health food, unlike myself. But the amazing part is she likes me anyways. She even makes her own deodorant and toothpaste! We travel a lot together because we’re both in a ski club ,(Neither of us ski either), and she always has her little homemade remedy kit with her. I LOVE IT. Anyway her blog is call The Big Red Barn because they bought a barn that they’re rehabbing. Check it out.

I’ve been very blessed

My father-in-law died today. He had been going down hill for awhile and this weekend when we were away, we got a phone call that he had been admitted into the ICU. On Saturday when I called they said he was getting better so we stayed on our get away. But Sunday night as soon as we were almost home we got a call that he had taken a turn for the worse. We went immediately to the hospital and we could tell right away it wasn't going to be long. We had him brought back home so he could go surrounded by his loved ones. Even his faithful dog was by his bedside. He went very peacefully and all but one out of the six children were there with him.
The reason I am so blessed is because I have such wonderful in-laws. This is my second marriage and I'm still very close to my first in-laws. My father-in-law who just passed loved the fact that my husband was marrying a woman with teenagers. You see my husband was a pretty rebellious teen, and he really wanted him to know what it was like to be a father of young rebels. He was always there for us when we needed him. Two years ago he and my mother-in-law took us all to Italy. That was his last trip. It is something I'll never forget.
So here's a few pictures of him. This is for you Jim. I love you and will miss you immensely.

This is him as a young boy. He was the youngest of 6 children.

Here he is on his wedding day. My mother-in-law and he were high school sweethearts.

Here he is with his 6 children. My husband is the oldest boy.

 

And at our wedding.

And here he is on our Italy trip. This is one of my favorite pictures of him.

God speed to you on your new journey.